Woodland for sale

Part of the wider Brogues Wood landscape, Riding Wood is embraced by open meadows to the east and companion woodlands to the north and south. Riding Wood is an ancient woodland featuring mature oak trees and other broadleaf species (see ‘Trees’ section below). A rustic bench tucked away in a private clearing in the woodland offers a peaceful place to sit and fully immerse yourself in nature.

Riding Wood is an Ancient Semi-natural Woodland (ASNW) as designated by Natural England - a habitat that has remained continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. Such woodlands are treasured for their exceptional biodiversity.

Riding Wood is situated approx. 3km south-west of Biddenden and 4km north-east of Benenden in the county of Kent. A private stoned track on the edge of open meadows provides access to the wood. There is a place for a new owner to park within the boundary of the wood itself. Just beyond the ride stop a footbridge has been installed across the shallow ditch to reach the woodland. There is stock fencing along the edge of the woodland (from when livestock were previously grazing the meadows). A short section of fencing has been opened up to allow easy access into the woodland. There is evidence of an old entrance into Riding Wood from Frogs Hole Lane which a new owner may wish to re-establish (subject to planning).

Trees

Riding Wood is a mature oak woodland with birch and some sweet chestnut, hornbeam and the occasional Scots pine. A draft Woodland Management Plan for Brogues Wood (of which Riding Wood is a part) is available upon request. There is a Tree Preservation Order on Riding Wood (details of this TPO are available upon request), though this does not prevent normal forest management when covered by a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan. Riding Wood sits within the Local Wildlife Site known as Sandpit Wood. Details of this can be downloaded from here.

Wildlife

Bat species recorded in the vicinity include soprano pipistrelle, noctule and brown long-eared bats. Priority bird species including grasshopper warbler, spotted flycatcher, wood warbler, lesser redpoll, tree pipit, hawfinch, woodlark and yellowhammer are recorded locally and may make use of the woods for breeding or overwintering. Muntjac, roe and fallow deer have been recorded in the vicinity of the woodland.

For ideas on how to manage your woodland for wildlife why not have a look on our website.

Features

- An ancient woodland with plenty of mature oaks.

- Great all year-round access via a stoned track.

- Historical features including a woodbank and evidence of a small pit.

- A rustic bench set within a private clearing.

- An opportunity for a new owner to manage for wildlife and improve biodiversity.

Access, tracks and footpaths

Riding Wood is easily accessed from a quiet country lane (Benenden Road), through a locked wooden gate (an owner will be provided a key for this locked gate). There is a stoned track providing access to the wood. There is a place for a new owner to park inside the boundary of Riding Wood.

Just beyond the ride stop a footbridge has been installed across the shallow ditch to reach the woodland. There is stock fencing along the edge of the woodland (from when livestock were previously grazing the meadows). A short section of fencing has been opened up to allow easy access into the woodland. The north and south boundaries are defined with either fencing or chestnut fencing posts. The west facing boundary along the roadside is fenced. There is evidence of an old entrance into Riding Wood from Frogs Hole Lane which a new owner may wish to re-establish (subject to planning). Boundaries are clearly marked with ORANGE markings.

Rights and covenants

The wood is sold with the sporting rights.

As is the case for all our woodlands, the purchaser will be asked to enter into a covenant which serves to protect the peace and quiet of the woodland.

Activities

Riding Wood is a truly delightful family woodland, offering the perfect setting for private camping, outdoor adventures, and peaceful woodland escapes. Rich in natural beauty and history, it presents a wonderful opportunity for a new owner to take on the rewarding role of caring for and managing an ancient woodland.

Woodlands.co.uk are pleased to offer £300 for new owners to attend a woodland related course of their choosing to pursue their woodland interests. We offer support for new woodland owners, including books, subscriptions, introductions to neighbours, advice on local suppliers and money towards relevant training. You can read more about this on our website.

Local area and history

The wood is situated approx. 3km south-west of Biddenden and 4km north-east of Benenden in the county of Kent. The nearby village of Biddenden was in the 1300’s part of an important centre for Broadcloth manufacture, with much of the very attractive high street built during this period. Biddenden Vineyard is located nearby, which in addition to producing some fine wines, is also Kent’s largest cider producer.

Ordnance Survey maps indicate that the areas currently under pasture were until at least the 1960s also under woodland but were subsequently deforested. However, the external woodland boundaries have changed very little since the mid-nineteenth century. There are some features of potential local archaeological interest in the woodland, including external wood-banks and ditches, remains of old tracks, and pits.